Jackson Culinary Concierge, which Alivia Townsend owns, gives back to the community with its delivery-based food service. Photo courtesy Imani Khayyam

At the age of 13, Alivia Townsend and her parents moved to Mississippi from Mobile, Ala. When she turned 14, she began her culinary journey at Frisco Deli while her mother, Denise Ashburn, managed the shop.

Over the next 20 years, she gained experience in the industry. On June 1 of this year, she opened Jackson Culinary Concierge, a delivery-based food service.

At the age of 13, Alivia Townsend and her parents moved to Mississippi from Mobile, Ala. When she turned 14, she began her culinary journey at Frisco Deli while her mother, Denise Ashburn, managed the shop.

Over the next 20 years, she gained experience in the industry. On June 1 of this year, she opened Jackson Culinary Concierge, a delivery-based food service.

"This whole experience of opening my restaurant and following my community and getting back out to give back to them keeps me humble," she says.

While Jackson Culinary Concierge is a delivery-based food service, Townsend still makes every dish from scratch. Her family does all the deliveries, and customers even call her personal number to order, which she says is about building trust and community.

"When you are serving in a to-go box, and you are not able to plate it, you have to sell yourself in a box," she says.

"When they pop that box open, I want them to feel like they just unwrapped a Christmas present."

Chicken tetrazzini, shrimp and grits, and to Townsend's surprise, burgers and wings keep her guests coming back. However, she notices when they are hesitant to try out other dishes, so she likes to send samples of other items out with their order.

Townsend says she keeps up with customer reviews to improve her menu and understands that everyone has a different palate. If a customer does not like something, she makes it her goal to learn how to appease them.

"If you are going to be in a guest-service industry, you have to provide guest service," she says.

Eating at local restaurants has also cultivated Townsend's desire for great guest service and inspired her to create weekly specials based on community choice or one of her own moments from dining in the Deep South. She says one of her inspirations is Brian Myrick, who is the chef and co-owner at Johnny T's Bistro & Blues.

"I'm all about supporting (local), so I do not eat at chains," Townsend says. "I just really believe in community, and if I'm going to spend my money, I want to spend it where people are spending it with me."

Jackson Culinary Concierge is open Monday through Friday. Customers can call in orders from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and deliveries start at 10:30 a.m. To place an order or inquire about catering, call 601.506.9636. For more information, find the business on Facebook.